53 grain Sierra Matchking flat base at 100 yards accuracy

[stinnett1981]

So I have had this rifle for about 2 years now (Remington 700P .223 9 twist). It has always shot great. The more I shoot it the better it shoots and the easier it is to clean it. I bought this rifle when I first started reloading and my first bullet and powder I started with was 69 grain SMK's and Varget. I started out barely shooting sub moa (which is good for a first time shooter and reloader). After time my shooting skills have gotten better, my reloading is better and the barrel has settled down. Yesterday afternoon I found the magical 100 yard bullet and load! Its the 53 grain Sierra Matchking with the flat base and Varget. I was working up that load yesterday and when I got up to 25.5 grains of Varget I shot a 5 shot group and it looked like 1 hole ??? So I walked down to my target and sure as sh*t it was. So I walked back and slowed my breathing and took all the time I could and fired another 5 shot group and it happened again! I ended up shooting 2 groups at 25.5 grains and 2 groups at 25.8 grains because thats what I loaded before I came to the range for load development. All 4 groups shot under .4! I was absolutely amazed! I never thought this rifle could do that! LET ALONE I COULD DO THAT! The 25.5 grain groups was .21" and .29". The 25.8 grain groups was .28" and .37". The strange thing is..... All the other bullets I shoot out of this rifle shoot .6" - .8" groups on average, which is normal for a good shooting factory rifle. These flat base 53 grain SMK's just shoot amazing! Im not posting this to brag or anything like that. I am excited, but Im curious has others had the same results with the flat base 53 grain SMK's at short ranges?

Here is a pic of the best group from yesterday.

 

[hogpatrol]

Don't ya just love it when a plan comes together? Great shooting. Now go shoot the barrel out of it. Hog

 

[DennisH]

stinnett1981,

What is your COAL?

Or, where are you loading your bullets, on/off or (?) the lands?

Dennis

 

[bheadboy]

for .224 dia. in the earlier days (60-70's) of benchrest comp, the flatbase sierra's were the bullet of choice from factory and the B&A and Deitch custom dies for flat base were the premium, i was started by Al Angerman and Bob Hart with a 222m - later 222, 6x47 - and the flat base Sierra,,the was fortunate enough to get B&A dies and Deitch dies to make my own with Sierra Jackets.

Bob

 

[stinnett1981]

stinnett1981,

What is your COAL?

Or, where are you loading your bullets, on/off or (?) the lands?

Dennis

.005 off lands

 

[stinnett1981]

Im getting my new custom .308 very soon. It cost 4x more than this .223. I sure hope it shoots as good or better! Lol!

 

[boltgunluvr]

I shoot the 53gr SMK in my 700 SPS varmint with 25.5-26gr of Varget. Its a 1 in 12 twist and I shot this combo out 525 yds for fun. Never fails. The Sierra 55gr SPT flat base is very accurate also with 25-25.5 gr of Varget in same gun. Those are the only two bullets I use for that rifle.

 

[Kermit in Va.]

They shoot good in my 700 Rem. tac.
I shoot them with 4198 since it a 20" bbl.


Kermit

 

[ed k]

I was figuring out a stock Model 78 Remington for a cousin about a week ago with this bullet. 4 shots in a tiny hole. Problably the best group i ever shot. ED K

 

[fdshuster]

One of my most consistant and favorite lightweight 22 cal. bullets. Sierra #1400. I always keep a good supply on hand. Excellent in both the 222's and 223's.

 

[amlevin]

Im getting my new custom .308 very soon. It cost 4x more than this .223. I sure hope it shoots as good or better! Lol!

Nice to see I'm not the only one. I should see my re-barreled .308 back soon and then I'll have to make a choice which one to shoot. I found that my SPS-Tactical likes to shoot "one holers" with the 52 gr SMK's which I guess are pretty much the same bullet. Over 100 yards though any "gopher flatulence" will spread the groups out as they're a little light. I use the Berger 73 gr for anything over 100 y as I can never seem to find a day with calm air or non-squirrely wind.

 

[308sako]

Funny how a bullet design like this just keeps on Kickin butt. Been shooting the 53 grain Sierra on and off for 35 years and just recently like the OP's post... a particular rifle just came alive when fed it. In my case it was 26.4 grains of RL 15 that did the trick, but whatever blows it out the muzzle.

That's great shooting OP.